Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
considered the backwater. In more recent times, Sámi was used as the set for much of the
filming of
Captain Corelli's Mandolin
. The long sandy beach that stretches round the bay
to the village of
Karavómylos
is perfectly adequate, but 2km further east, beyond ancient
Sami, lies a more dramatic pebble beach,
Andísamis
, set in a stunning curved bay.
Dhrogaráti cave
April-Oct daily 9am-8pm • €4
Five kilometres from Sámi, signposted just off the Argostóli road, lies a very impressive
stalagmite-bedecked chamber, known as
Dhrogaráti
. The cave, which reaches a depth of
60m and was discovered over 300 years ago, is occasionally used for concerts thanks to
its marvellous acoustics.
Melissáni cave
Daily 8am-7pm • €7
Three kilometres north of Sámi towards Ayía Efimía,
Melissáni
is partly submerged in
brackish water, which, amazingly, emerges from an underground fault extending the
whole way underneath the island to a point near Argostóli. At that point, known as
Katavóthres, the sea gushes endlessly into a subterranean channel - the fact that the
water ends up in the cave has been shown with fluorescent tracer dye. The beautiful
textures and shades created by the light pouring through the collapsed roof of the cave
make the short boat excursion into it a must.
11
Ayía Efimía
AYÍA EFIMÍA
, 9km north of Sámi along a scenic coastal drive that includes coves such as
Ayía Paraskeví
, is a small fishing harbour popular with package operators, yet with no
major developments. Its main drawback is its beaches, or lack thereof - the largest,
risibly named Paradise beach, is a pathetic 20m of shingle. It is, however, home to one
of the island's few
scuba diving
enterprises.
ARRIVAL AND GETTING AROUND
SÁMI AND AROUND
By ferry
The dock is towards the southern end of the long
seafront.
By bus
Island buses congregate outside the KTEL office
about 100m from the dock.
By car and motorbike
The seafront Sami Center
(
T
26740 22254) rents out motorbikes at fair rates, and
Island (
T
26740 23084,
E
islecars@otenet.gr) is a reliable
local car rental company.
ACTIVITIES
Diving
The Aquatic Scuba Diving Club in Ayía Efimía
(
T
26740 62006,
W
aquatic.gr) is the island's premier
scuba diving outfit. It runs courses, does wreck diving and
offers introductory dives.
ACCOMMODATION, EATING AND DRINKING
SÁMI AND AROUND
Akrogiali
Sámi
T
26740 22494.
At the far northern end
of the seafront, this family taverna with seating right above
the beach offers a range of fish and meat dishes for around
€7.
May-Sept daily noon-midnight.
Camping Karavomilos Beach
Karavómylos
T
26740
22480,
W
camping-karavomilos.gr.
Just 1km along the
beach from Sámi, the better of the island's two campsites
has over three hundred well-shaded space
s, a tav
erna,
shop and bar. May-Oct. One person plus tent
€12.50
Kastro
Sámi
T
26740 22282.
Smart two-storey hotel in
the middle of the seafront, with compact but co
mfy r
ooms
and a small café on the ground floor. June-Sept.
€50
Melissani
Sámi
T
26740 22464.
Up a couple of blocks
behind the main dock, this slightly old-fashioned but
welcoming hotel has cosy, good-value roo
ms, m
any with
good views from their balconies. May-Sept.
€35
Mermaid
Sámi
T
26740 22202.
With a decent selection
of vegetable and meat dishes, including the famous local
meat pie, this is the best of the central bunch of portside
tavernas.
April-Oct daily 11am-2am.
AYÍA EFIMÍA
Amalia
Ayía Efimía
T
26740 61088.
Round the headland
past the harbour, this is the place for moderately priced
island cuisine such as small fried fish and local sausage.
May-Sept daily noon-1am.
Ì
Ayía Paraskeví
Ayía Paraskeví
T
26740 23061.
